Town of Sylvan Lake Mayor Megan Hanson speaks at the Mid-sized Cities Mayor's Caucus from Oct. 20-21 in Airdrie alongside representatives from another 23 urban municipalities. City of Red Deer Councillor Lawrence Lee is also present (left). (Town of Sylvan Lake)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Sylvan Lake and Red Deer among 24 municipalities

Alberta’s mid-sized cities say they are ready to partner with new provincial government

Oct 21, 2022 | 3:35 PM

Representatives from Sylvan Lake and Red Deer were two of 24 mid-sized cities in Alberta who gathered in Airdrie on Thursday to discuss how they will partner with new Premier Danielle Smith and her provincial government.

Mayors from urban municipalities, with populations of over 15,000 people except Edmonton and Calgary, met from Oct. 20-21 for the Mid-sized Cities Mayor’s Caucus (MCMC) to refine their collective priorities and identify opportunities on which to collaborate with the province.

“These 24 municipal leaders represent 33 ridings and one million Albertans – nearly 25 per cent of Alberta’s population. Their municipalities range from large suburban and urban centres to regional service centres for rural Alberta,” said Cochrane Mayor Jeff Genung of Cochrane and Chair of the MCMC. “Our opportunities and challenges aren’t unlike those of the bigger cities; however, our access to funding and services isn’t the same.”

Earlier this year, the MCMC identified the following areas of focus:

• Building better relationships and partnerships
• Equitable and appropriate capital funding
• Community Safety and Wellness
• Healthcare

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“We see opportunities for meaningful collaboration, and we want to ensure the new government understands that we are willing, knowledgeable and capable partners in helping the Province achieve long- term prosperity and putting Albertans first. We’re excited to get started on this important work,” he said.

In a release, Sylvan Lake town officials stated Alberta’s mid-sized cities are uniquely positioned to support the province’s long-term prosperity and are actively seeking partnerships with the province to leverage current and future opportunities.

“Our involvement in MCMC brings value to Sylvan Lake as it amplifies our voice,” said Mayor Megan Hanson. “It allows us a bigger platform to bring forward the issues that are important to our residents like funding and healthcare.”

Councillor Lawrence Lee from the City of Red Deer was also present at the meeting.

The MCMC meets virtually monthly to share best practices, discuss challenges faced by their communities and identify collaborative opportunities to find solutions. They also meet in-person twice per year during the Spring and Fall to identify areas for improvement, seek out partnerships, and leverage funding and collaboration opportunities.